VALPARAISO — Okaloosa County is looking for residents who want to help celebrate Florida’s 500th anniversary.

Viva Florida 500 officially kicks off Jan. 1.

“It’s an all-year celebration,” said Kathy Newby, the county’s public information officer.

Newby and several other community leaders have formed a Viva Florida 500 committee that will meet in the coming weeks to organize local events.

The state has provided each of its 67 counties with a time capsule to fill with items unique to them.

 “We invite anybody to be involved,” Newby said. “We don’t want to do this time capsule in a vacuum.”

Newby said some of the ideas being considered are recipes and black and white photos.

Technology such as DVDs might also be an option, she added.

“I just think it’s a great opportunity,” Newby said. “We want people to reflect on what makes Okaloosa County unique.”

The committee will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Valparaiso Library at 459 Valparaiso Parkway.

For more information about the Viva Florida 500 celebration, go to the Okaloosa Viva Florida 500 page on Facebook or to www.fla500.com.

WANT TO ATTEND? Okaloosa County’s Viva Florida 500 committee will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Valparaiso Library at 459 Valparaiso Parkway.

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Kari Barlow at 850-315-4438 or kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KariBnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa to help celebrate 500 years of Florida

FORT WALTON BEACH — Looking to give your senior loved one something special this holiday season?

You don’t need a big budget or a creative gift list.

 What seniors want the most could simply be assistance with holiday preparations and activities, according to one local expert.

“The aging process, which can cause changes in vision, hearing and mobility, often sidelines a senior during the holidays, limiting their ability to enjoy so many of the traditions that are important to that generation,” said Todd Harrell, owner of Home Instead Senior Care, which serves Okaloosa and Walton counties. “That’s why the most valued gift for many seniors is assistance to continue to shop for gifts, bake Christmas cookies and tour the holiday lights.”

Here are 10 possible gifts for senior loved ones:

• Shop — but not until you drop. Conditions such as macular degeneration, which leads to poor eyesight and inability to drive, can make shopping difficult for older adults. Take seniors to their favorite store or make online shopping memorable. Tune into seniors’ limitations.

• Keep food traditions alive. Food can play an important role in the holidays for seniors. If an older adult can no longer cook the traditional holiday meal, offer to carry on the tradition, asking the senior to help where he or she can.

• Make a special delivery. Arthritis can make wrapping holiday presents a challenge; so can shipping gifts to loved ones. Schedule a gift-wrapping afternoon, complete with hot chocolate, cookies and plenty of family stories.

• Deck the halls. Carting out holiday ornaments isn’t always possible for an older adult with a bad back or weak muscles — neither is stringing lights or hanging ornaments. Make it a multigenerational activity by sending over the grandkids or great-grandchildren.

• Send holiday greetings. The handwritten Christmas card is a tradition for this generation of seniors. Offer to spend an afternoon writing greetings. If that’s not possible, an online photo greeting card can be just as good (and save the cost of cards and stamps).

• Sing along. Caroling is a fun activity for almost any age. Get a group of your senior loved one’s friends together to serenade other older adults in an assisted living facility or nursing home.

• Celebrate the reason for the season. Faith and holiday programs can bring joy to older adults. Be flexible and change traditions if necessary. For instance, attend early Christmas Eve service, not midnight Mass.

• Focus on others. Volunteering to assist others can help seniors focus on someone else’s needs instead of their own. Get the entire family involved in gathering supplies for a homeless shelter or serving a holiday meal.

• Stay connected. The holidays can be a sad time for seniors separated from their families. Help an older adult connect with loved ones far away with the latest technology, such as Skype.

• The gift of time. Sometimes, all an older adult wants is companionship, whether it’s a few moments of the day or a driving tour to view holiday lights. If you are short of time, consider the assistance of a family friend, neighbor or caregiver.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 10 tips for holiday gifts to seniors

CRESTVIEW — A school bus carrying 32 students from Rocky Bayou Christian School was involved in an early morning crash just outside of Crestview.

The bus was waiting to turn left onto Live Oak Church Road from southbound State Road 85 when the left front side of it was struck by a northbound vehicle that had run a red light, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.

Neither the driver of the bus, Patricia F. Duffey, 52, of Crestview, nor any of the children on it were injured in the 7:15 a.m. crash, the report stated.

The driver of the other vehicle, Theresa H. Leonard, 56, of Valparaiso, suffered minor injuries. She was taken to the North Okaloosa Medical Center for treatment.

Before striking the school bus, Leonard’s vehicle also hit Bradley P. Moore’s vehicle. The 37-year-old from Shalimar didn’t suffer any injuries in the crash.

Leonard was charged with running a red light.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: School bus involved in morning crash

CRESTVIEW — The Main Street Crestview Association could tighten Christmas parade application guidelines to filter applicants, a Laurel Hill attorney said Friday.

"It looks to me they could give it some more rules," Laurel Hill City Attorney Daniel Campbell said.

The current application includes questions for routine information and payment options. Applicants agree to guidelines that pertain to participants’ safety and visibility, understanding of the parade route, and rain procedure.

Additionally, event organizers could include a question on the application that asks applicants to describe their parade entry. 

"Then a committee could decide whether that activity is appropriate or not," Campbell said.

Current city attorney Jerry Miller and former city attorney Ben Holley wouldn’t comment on the matter, as of press time.

Following the Dec. 1 Christmas parade, many criticized participant Save me from the Fire ministry, which featured a Pensacola student minister who shouted anti-gay remarks, damned parade attendees to hell and denied Santa Claus’ existence from a megaphone.

Many residents also criticized parade planners for approving the ministry’s application. The Crestview organization has issued apologies for those offended.

Main Street organizers made no formal decisions after meeting Dec. 5 to discuss the issue, but members were open to changing next year’s guidelines. Suggestions included designating participants’ positions in the procession; if applicants didn’t accept their given position, they wouldn't be allowed to participate.

 One member suggested publicly posting a roster in advance so parade-goers could avoid messages from organizations they might find offensive.   

Mike Ryan of Crestview said he likes the idea. However, he said, if Save Me from the Fire participates in 2013, he and his family would not attend.

"There are plenty of other parades to attend in the area," said Ryan, who didn’t attend this year’s parade since his 3-year-old son was sick. He heard about what happened from other residents who expressed their outrage on the News Bulletin’s Facebook page.

Ryan supports people exercising their First Amendment rights, but he said the situation should fit the setting.

On the humorous side, Ryan offered relative’s suggestion for how parade officials could deal with controversial applicants.

"My brother-in-law suggested putting them between two fire engines (which blow their sirens throughout the parade route)," Ryan said.

A major concern for the Main Street association centers on potential legal threats from those who feel their First Amendment rights are violated. 

During the meeting, members said they would seek attorneys’ and city officials’ input.

Conner said he and other members have received suggestions from other cities, which have dealt with similar situations.

He and other Main Street members plan to work with city officials to ensure similar incidents never happen at another Christmas parade.

"In the 50 (plus) years that the parade has been going, this is the first bit of controversy that I can remember," Conner said.

In addition to the Christmas parade, the Main Street Crestview Association plans some of Crestview's most widely attended events, including the Fall Festival and First Friday summer events.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Christmas parade planners could tighten rules, attorney says

CRESTVIEW — Following an uptick in flu activity, the Okaloosa County Health Department urges residents and visitors to help limit risk of exposure to seasonal flu and get vaccinated.

The United States has seen significant increases in flu activity over the past two weeks, which indicates an early flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The flu is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. Compared with most other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza infection often causes a more severe illness.

“The most effective precautions we can use to fight illness are getting vaccinated as soon as possible and by practicing good hygiene habits,” said Dr. Karen Chapman, director of the Okaloosa County Health Department. “There is still time to get the influenza vaccine. With the holidays approaching, and many people traveling or gathering with family and friends, these simple precautions may lessen your risk of getting influenza.”

Those at highest risk during flu season include children under 5 years old, adults 65 and over, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions like heart and lung diseases and diabetes. All health care personnel are strongly urged to get the influenza vaccine.

Meanwhile, watch for flu symptoms including headache, high fever, a severe cough, runny nose or body aches.

The Okaloosa County Health Department provides the flu vaccine free of charge for children ages 6 months through 18 years. No appointment is necessary. Adults can find information on flu vaccine locations at http://flushot.healthmap.org.

PREVENT THE FLU

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Lack a tissue? Cough or sneeze into your sleeve.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Practice an effective hand washing technique. See http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/ for details. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you are sick with flu–like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, without using fever-reducing medicine, except to get medical care or for other necessities.

• Get revaccinated every year because flu viruses change annually.

Source: Florida Department of Health

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Health department urges seasonal flu precautions

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS — Hally Cobb and Richard Thomas are happy to announce their forthcoming marriage.

The bride-elect is a resident of DeFuniak Springs and a registered dental hygienist.  She is the proud mother of two sons, Nathan and Jacob Cobb.

The groom-elect is a resident of DeFuniak Springs and graduate of Creighton University School of Dentistry. He has two children, Monyca Nielson and Tarek Thomas, and five grandchildren. 

The wedding is Dec. 8 at the L.D.S. Temple in Saint George, Utah.  The couple plans to reside in DeFuniak Springs.

The News Bulletin publishes north Okaloosa County residents' engagement, wedding and anniversary announcements at no charge. Submissions may be edited for length and style. Call 682-6524 or email news@crestviewbulletin.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cobb and Thomas to wed Saturday

CRESTVIEW — The city of Crestview will convert the intersection at S. Wilson St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. to an all-way stop at 8 a.m. Dec. 20.

Motorists should use caution when approaching this intersection, officials said.

For details, call Danny Bowden, street supervisor, at 682-6132 ext. 105.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Intersection being converted to an all-way stop Dec. 20

CRESTVIEW — Crestview will have a new supervised visitation center for troubled families next year because of a group of women who want to make a difference in their community.

Impact 100 Northwest Florida was started in February with the goal of making significant improvements in Okaloosa and Walton counties. The group tries to bring together at least 100 women to contribute $1,000 each so it can present a local nonprofit group a $100,000 grant to fund a project.

The 128 members of Impact 100 voted last week to select the Judge Ben Gordon Jr. Family Visitation Center as the recipient of their first grant for $128,000.

“(The center) persuaded the women of Impact 100 that with $128,000, they could make an impact on their community,” said Michelle Anchors, president of Impact 100 Northwest Florida’s board of directors. “That’s exciting to us to see that there are children who will be able to visit their families in a safe and secure environment in the north end of the county, and that made an impact.

 “It’s been the most positive association with which I’ve ever been associated, and we just want to grow it because we can see the needs and you can see in 12 months that we’ll have a new facility at the Ben Gordon Visitation Center. Something that didn’t exist last year is going to exist next year because of Impact 100,” Anchors added.

The visitation center will use the money to buy a home in Crestview and add video cameras, offices, a secure entrance and a parking lot.

Sharon Rogers, executive director of the center, said they'd received a Safe Havens grant from the Department of Justice to fund the operation of a new Crestview center. However, that grant did not cover the purchase of the property.

 “I was overwhelmed and it was just a huge honor,” Rogers said. “(The Impact 100 grant) came along and it was really the perfect fit.”

Impact 100 had 34 non-profit groups apply for the grant. The other four finalists were the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Emerald Coast Science Center, Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and OASIS.

Anchors said the goal for next year is to get 200 members, which would allow the group to give out two $100,000 grants.

“This is truly an organization that cannot happen with one leader or one good board of directors or a few solid members,” Anchors said. “It requires 128 to make it be effective at what it did this year. It really is about 100 percent of the membership.

“(Impact 100) will continue to grow exponentially, so that in 10 years we will say we have given more than $1 million so that there is one new significant project a year that is happening that wasn’t able to happen before 2012,” she added.

TO LEARN MORE: For more information on Impact 100 Northwest Florida, go to www.impactnwf.org.

Contact Daily News Business Editor Dusty Ricketts at 850-315-4448 or dricketts@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @DustyRnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Visitation center gets grant from Impact 100 women’s group

CRESTVIEW — Celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa at the Crestview Public Library 6-8 p.m. Dec. 20 during the ninth annual Noel Night.

Soloist Jenna Renee Lewis, Chanticleer from Crestview High School, led by Kevin Lusk, the hand bell choir from First United Methodist Church, also led by Lusk, and a worship music team from Emmanuel Baptist Church, led by Justin Wyatt, will fill the library with Christmas music.

Crafters, come early. There will be crafts while supplies last. Scavenge the library and win a prize. You can also win a prize by playing dreidel. There may even be a surprise visit.

This event is free, thanks to the Friends (who will bake cookies). If you’d like to give back to the community, bring a nonperishable food item for Sharing and Caring.

Call 682-4432. The library is at 1445 Commerce Drive.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Library's Noel Night coming Dec. 20

  CRESTVIEW — Community of Christ Church, 398 W. 1st Ave., will open tonight at 6 p.m. and will remain open until 8 a.m. Thursday.   The Okaloosa County Cold Weather Shelter Program provides protection during freezing weather.

Program organizers estimate approximately 50 to 65 individuals use the shelters each time one opens.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cold weather shelter at Crestview church tonight